Ottawa family facing deportation to Nigeria asks government to intervene
An Ottawa family is begging the Canadian government to intervene as they face deportation to Nigeria in less than a week.
Aisha Kolo and her two daughters settled in the national capital two years ago after fleeing from the African country a few years prior.
"I ran to the USA and came into Canada," said Kolo. "Because of my children, for me to be safe and for my children to be safe."
Kolo says they fled from Nigeria over safety fears that were linked to her husband’s job,
"I’ve been in the house mourning because the worst thing that will ever happen to me is for them to send me back to Nigeria because this is where I’m running from," she said.
The 50-year-old applied for refugee status for her and her two daughters.
Immigration documents supplied to CTV News show the refugee claim stated a number of reasons, including a fear for safety in Nigeria.
The documents show their refugee status was rejected twice, including through an appeal process.
Chantal Desloges is not involved in the case, but weighed in as a senior lawyer.
"The board member believed them in terms of the risks that they feared in Nigeria. However, the board found against them in that they felt they could probably relocate internally within Nigeria and seek safety in a different city," said Desloges, a senior partner for Desloges Law Group.
While waiting for what’s next, Kolo said she had to stop working as a personal support worker. She says her daughters also stopped their studies at university.
"I have peace of mind here in Canada, but imagine what it’s going to be like in Nigeria for me," said Niman Kolo, Aisha’s daughter.
Both of Kolo’s daughters were accepted to Carleton University, one with a scholarship for aerospace engineering.
"When I got accepted into Carleton it was pretty much a dream come true," said Niman Kolo, Aisha’s daughter. "It was a dream come true because in Nigeria there is no opportunity to study engineering, especially aerospace engineering."
Kinkin Kolo, Aisha’s daughter, said it has been a dream to get a higher education in Canada.
Border Services documents provided to CTV News shows their removal from Canada is scheduled for Oct. 13.
"They say no we have to leave, so I’m just begging the government of Canada to do something," said Kolo.
She has also filed a humanitarian and compassionate application in the meantime, but experts say while waiting for a decision; it’s still illegal to remain in Canada.
CTV News also reached out to Anita Vandenbeld, Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, but did not hear back before publication.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.